Dialing knob and escutcheon plate assemblies for permutation locker locks



3,923,662 Patented Mar. 6, 1%62 nice 3,023,602 DIALING KNOB AND ESCUTCHEON PLATE ASSEMBLIES FOR PERMUTATION LOCKER LOCKS Da I. Foote- Wauwatosa, and Nathan L. Berkowitz, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to Master Lock Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Apr. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 21,306 7 Claims. (Cl. 70332) This invention relates to improvements in dialing knob and escutcheon plate assemblies for permutation locker locks.

When a permutation or combination lock is applied to the hinged door of a locker, cabinet or the like, the lock casing in which the lock and permutation mechanism is housed is mounted on the inner face of the door adjacent the free margin thereof. In registration therewith, on the outer face of the door, there is mounted a dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly, there being an axially extended connection between the dial operated part of the assemblage and the permutation lock mechanism, which passes through an opening in the door into the lock casing on the inner face of the door.

in the present invention the escutcheon plate portion of the assembly which is mounted on the outer face of the door equipped with the lock, is provided with an outwardly struck or raised collar which forms a bearing for the graduated rotatable dial portion of the dialing knob and the escutcheon plate is flanged and cup-shaped so as to receive therewithin in nested relationship, a dial retaining plate which is formed with screw openings whereby the assemblage is secured to the lock equipped door. However, the escutcheon plate, which is decorative in appearance, overlies the dial retaining plate and covers the heads of the securing screws so as to hide the same and protect them against tampering and access for unauthorized removal.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide in a dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly of the character described, an externally accessible permutation lock dialing knob which fits into and is rotatably retained by an escutcheon plate, the latter providing a decorative overlay which covers and protects the mounting screws for the assemblage and further enhances the overall appearance of the assembly which is extremely easy to preassemble and mount on the face of a locker door.

locks usually incorporate as a die-cast, one-piece unit the escutcheon plate proper and a dial retaining plate. In the present invention the escutcheon plate and dial retaining plate are separately stamped or fabricated from non-corrodable metal and are so arranged and assembled as to provide a nested sturdy and accurately formed subassembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly for permutation locker locks, 21 separate dial retaining plate having a forwardly offset cupped portion with a shouldered annular flange to receive the circular base portion of the dial and prevent it from moving axially forwardly, said dial retaining plate also having a shouldered annular recess to receive a dial retaining ring which prevents the dial from moving axially rearwardly.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly of the character described, a collar within the base portion of the dial formed with diametrically opposed lugs to selectively engage peripheral rccesses in a dial driver plate, the base portion of the dialing knob having a rim portion to engage in a shouldered recess therefor in the dial retaining plate Conventional escutcheon plates for permutation locker whereby axial movement of the dial, more than that required for rotational freedom, is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly for permutation locker locks which is of very simple construction, is easy to manufacture, assemble and install, which is strong and durable, which is neat and attractive in appearance and protective, and which is well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly for permutation locker locks, and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the improved dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear face view of the assembly; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the component parts of the assemblage, on a smaller scale.

The components of the improved dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly which, in their assembled relationship, are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, can best be understood in their individual forms by reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the exploded view. In this view, the unitary dialing knob and dial is designated generally by the numeral it the escutcheon plate is indicated generally by the numeral 11; the dial retaining plate by the numeral 12; the dial retaining ring by the numeral 13 and the dial driver plate or hub by the numeral 14.

The unitary dialing knob and dial 1% is hollow and cupshaped, as shown in FIG. 4. The outer surface of the enlarged base portion thereof carries graduations and indicia as shown in FIG. 1, and the open rear end has therewithin an integral ring or shoulder 15 formed with inwardly projecting diametrically opposed lugs 16. The exterior of the dial portion of the unit It) is formed with an integral rib 17 stepped inwardly from the open end and providing a seat against which the dial retaining ring 13 is positioned when the device is assembled. Also in the assembled relationship of the parts of FIG. 4, the dial driver plate or hub 14 seats concentrically within the ring portion 15 of the dialing knob and dial unit, as shown in FIG. 2, and the periphery of said dial driver plate 14 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart notches or recesses 18. Selected notches 18 may be engaged with the lugs 16 on the integral dial shoulder or ring 15 which prearranges the position of the axially directed integral finger 19 on the dial driver plate relative to engagement with internal lock mechanism (not shown) which will determine the permutation mechanism combination selected.

The escutcheon plate 11 has on its forward face a rolled circular forwardly projecting collar 29 shaped as shown in the drawings and having an index marking 21 with which the graduations on the dial may be registered during operation of the assembly. The escutcheon plate 11 is shaped as shown in FIG. 1 and besides providing 1 bearing collar for the dial, it forms a decorative overlay for other parts of the assembly. The major portion of the escutcheon plate beyond the bearing collar 20 is cupshaped and it is adapted to receive therewithin, in nested relationship, the dial retaining plate 12 which has a forwardly offset open portion 21 to engage in the bearing collar 20 of the escutcheon plate and which is shouldered as at 22 to form a bearing seat for the annular rib 17 on the dialing knob unit.

In the ultimate assembled condition the dial retaining plate i2 is nested within the cup and collared portions of the escutcheon plate 11, as shown in FIG. 2, and to retain the dial retaining plate in this condition peripheral portions of the cup forming flange of the escutcheon plate 11 are crimped over, as at 23, against the rear face of the retaining plate 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It should also be stated that the upper and lower enlarged surface portions of the dial retaining plate 12 are formed with tapered openings 24 which receive the heads of screws 25 which are required to secure the assembly to the door of a locker or cabinet. As shown in FIG. 2, the heads of the securing screws 25 are ultimately covered by the escutcheon plate so as to hide the same and prevent access thereto by a tamperer after the lock assemblage has been applied to a locker or cabinet door.

While the various components of the assembly shown in FIG. 4 have been described in detail, the method of actual assembly will be stated. The locker cabinet door to when an entire permutation lock is to be applied is, of course, provided with an opening therein and in registration with this opening, the dial retaining plate 12 connected with the other elements of the assemblage is secured to the outer surface of the door and is positioned in place by the concealed screws 25 which pass through the pre-punched openings therefor in the door. The heads of the screws may be formed with serrations 26 to prevent rotation of the screws within the dial retainer plate 12 after the assembly is tightened onto the door. f course, the threaded shank portions of the screws ultimately carry lock nuts (not shown). During the preassembly of the components at the factory, the escutcheon plate 11 is fitted over the dial retaining plate and secured thereto by the crimping of the flanged edges 23 which, of course, covers the heads of the screws 25 with which the plate 12 is equipped. Next, the dialing knob and dial unit has it outer end inserted from the inside through the central opening in the escutcheon plate so as to project forwardly, with the annular rib 17 locating inwardly of the escutcheon plate bearing collar and the dial retaining plate offset 21. This relationship prevents forward axial withdrawal of the dialing knob unit and to prevent rearward axial movement or undue play in the assembly the dial retaining ring 13 is applied so as to seat against the rear face of the dial unit rib 17. The dial retaining ring 13 is pressed into position to surround the integral shouldered or ring portion 15 of the dialing knob unit. The latter receives therewithin, concentrically, the disc portion of the dial driver plate or hub 14 with the finger 19 of the latter projecting rearwardly. The manner in which selected peripheral notches 18 in the member 14 may be engaged with a pair of diametrically opposed lugs 16 on the dial unit ring 15 was previously described.

With the components of the assembly engaged with one another at the factory, as described, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly may subsequently be mounted on a locker or cabinet door by being mounted over the preformed opening in the door from the outside and it is secured by lock nuts applied to the screws 25. When installed, a manual turning of the dialing unit is possible and the rib portion 17 of the dialing unit turns freely relative to the adjacent portions of the escutcheon plate and dial retaining plate but undue lateral movement is prevented. As the dial driver plate 14 is selectively affixed to the dialing unit, it will turn when the dialing unit is turned within its bearings and, of course, the integral finger 19 carried by the member 14 will turn and operate certain internal lock mechanism with which it is engaged and housed within a lock casing (not shown) applied to the inner face of the locker door.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the improved dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly, especially adapted for a permutation locker lock, includes a decorative outermost escutcheon plate which hides and covers the heads of attaching screws extended through a nested dial retaining plate, the latter forming a bearing for the dial of the assembly. Originally the escutcheon plate and dial retaining plate are separate elements but are pro-assembled with other components in a compact nested relationship which includes the dial retaining ring and dial driver plate fitted into the rear of i the dialing knob and which is rotated when the dial is turned. The assembly, besides being strong and durable and attractive, is easy to pre-assembly and subsequently mount, and is well adapted for the purposes set forth.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. In combination, a dial retaining plate attachable to a face portion of a permutation lock-equipped closure and formed with a circular central opening, an escutcheon plate having a circular central opening with an outwardly offset collar surrounding said opening, the dial retaining plate being nested within the escutcheon plate and secured thereto, a nested portion of the dial retaining plate surrounding the central opening therein forming a bearing, a dialing knob extended through the central openings in said nested plates and having an enlarged circular base dial portion formed with a peripheral rib rotatably engaging the bearing forming portion of the nested dial retaining plate, the periphery of the inner end of the dial portion adjacent the rib being shouldered, and a dial retaining ring nested within the dial retaining plate and engaging the shouldered inner end portion of the dial.

2. In combination, a dial retaining plate, headed fastening means carried by the dial retaining plate for securing the latter to a face portion of a permutation lockequipped closure, said dial retaining plate having a forwardly projecting cupped portion formed with a circular central opening, an escutcheon plate having a forwardly projecting cupped portion with a circular central opening therein, surrounded by a collar, the dial retaining plate being nested within the escutcheon plate and secured thereto with the escutcheon plate covering said headed fastening means, a nested cupped portion of the dial retaining plate including its collar surrounding the central opening forming a bearing, a knob and dial unit having a knob of reduced diameter extended through the central openings in said nested plates and having its enlarged circular dial portion formed with a peripheral rib disposed within and rotatably engaging the bearing forming portion of the nested dial retaining plate, the inner end of the dial rearwardly of the rib being shouldered, and a dial retaining ring within the dial retaining plate and engaging the shouldered inner end portion of the dial.

3. In combination, a dial retaining plate, fastening means extending through portions of said plate for securing it to a face portion of a door, an escutcheon plate, the dial retaining plate and escutcheon plate both having registering central circular openings therein and being secured together in nested relationship, a portion of the dial retaining plate surrounding the central opening therein forming a bearing, a knob and dial unit having a forward knob of reduced diameter extended through the central openings in said nested plates and having an enlarged circular rear dial portion formed with a peripheral rib disposed Within and rotatably engaging the bearing forming portion of the nested dial retaining plate, the inner end of the dial rearwardly of the rib being shouldered and recessed, a dial retaining ring within the dial retaining plate and engaging the shouldered inner end portion of the dial, and a dial driver plate selectively secured within the recessed rear end of the dial to turn with the latter.

4. In a dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly for a combination lock, a dial retaining plate formed with a circular central outwardly off-set cupped portion having a circular opening therein, an escutcheon plate having a circular central opening with an outwardly offset collar surrounding said opening, the dial retaining plate being nested Within the escutcheon plate, a nested portion of the dial retaining plate surrounding the central opening therein forming a bearing, a dial unit having a knob extended through said central openings and having an enlarged circular base dial portion formed with a peripheral rib rotatably engaging the bearing forming portion of the nested dial retaining plate, the periphery of the inner end of the dial portion adjacent the rib being shouldered, a dial retaining ring nested within the dial retaining plate and engaging the shouldered inner end portion of the dial portion to prevent rearward axial movement of the dial unit, and a dial driver plate secured to the inner end of the dial unit and concentric with said dial retaining ring.

5, In a sub-assembly for a combination lock mountable on a support, a dial retaining plate having a forwardly projecting cupped portion and flat flanged portions, headed fastening means carried by the flanged portions of the dial retaining plate for securing the latter to a face portion of a support, the forwardly projecting cupped portion of said dial retaining plate being formed with a circular central opening, an escutcheon plate having a forwardly projecting cupped portion with a circular central opening therein, surrounded by a collar, the dial retaining plate being nested within the escutcheon plate and secured thereto around its periphery with the flanged portions of the escutcheon plate covering and concealing said headed fastening means, a knob and dial unit having a knob of reduced diameter extended through the central openings in said nested plates and having its enlarged circular dial portion rotatably mounted within the nested cupped portions of said plates, and means engaging the inner end of the dial unit to rotatably hold it in its assembled condition.

6. For a door-oarried permutation look, a dial retaining plate having a forwardly projecting cupped portion and a flat portion projecting from the inner margin of the cupped portion, headed fastening means carried by the flat portion of the dial retaining plate for securing the latter to a face portion of a door, the forwardly projecting cupped portion of said dial retaining plate being formed with a circular central opening, an escutcheon plate having a forwardly projecting cupped portion with a circular central opening therein, surrounded by a collar, the escutcheon plate being shaped to conform with the shape of the dial retaining plate and being superimposed thereon and covering said headed fastening means, a knob and dial unit having a knob of reduced diameter extended through the central openings in said plates and having its enlarged circular dial portion rotatably mounted within the superimposed cupped portions of said plates and held against displacement in one direction thereby, and means engaging the inner end of the dial unit to hold it against displacement in the other direction.

7. A dialing knob and escutcheon plate assembly for permutation locks comprising, an outermost escutcheon plate having a central circular opening therein surrounded by a bearing collar, a cupped dial retaining plate having a central circular opening therein registering with the escutcheon plate opening, a dialing knob having an enlarged circular base portion with a peripheral rib, the inner end of said base portion being open and having an aifixed lug carrying collar, a dial retaining ring, and a dial driver plate, all of said members being in nested relationship with the dialing knob projecting through the openings in the escutcheon plate and dial retaining plate, the peripheral rib on dialing knob base portion being rotatably mounted and confined within the bearing collar, the dial retaining ring and the dial driver plate being concentric with the integral collar in the inner end of the dialing knob and the dial driver plate being selectively afiixed to the collar lugs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,092,874 Taylor Apr. 14, 1914 1,510,417 Prigan Sept. 30, 1924 2,836,052 Miller May 27, 1958 

